Up to 100 people chatting online at once

Skype is almost ready to release a trial version of its Skype Cast software, which will allow up to 100 people to chat online at the same time.

Alistair Shrimpton, Skype's UK country manager, claimed that the beta version of Skype Cast is "imminent".

Blog site Six Apart is already trialling the technology with its users, according to Shrimpton, and it is also in use in the Skype offices.

The software can be used to set up scheduled meetings that any user can join.

"To host a discussion with 100 people you will go to the Smart Cast area on the Skype.com website. There you can put down the name and a time for the discussion and it is put into the Skype Cast directory," said Shrimpton.

The user who sets up a discussion will have moderator powers over it and will be able to silence or eject anyone not conforming to their rules.

"The host interface is different, as you have the possibility to mute or un-mute each member of the discussion. You can even offer people the virtual microphone to ask them to speak," said Shrimpton.

"If there is a particular troublemaker you have the chance to eject them from the call."